Collapsible shipping-crate.



J. E. EDWARDS.

GOLLAPSIBLE SHIPPING CRATE.

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JOSEPH E. EDWARDS, or SHARON, TENNESSEE;

GOLLAPSIBLE SHIPPING-CRATE.

Application filed February 16, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrrr E. EDWARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sharon, in the county of lVeakley and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Shipping-Crates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shipping crates.

One object of-the invention is to provide an inexpensive, simple, durable and eflicient crate embodying such characteristics that it may be readily set up for shipping purposes and readily collapsed to occupy small space when not in use, whereby, when not in use it may be stored or shipped conveniently without occupying the space required by it when in use.

Another object resides in the provision of a collapsible crate having its bottom, top and ends hingedly connected together and its sides nailed to the ends and adapted to be confined between the bottom and the top and ends when the crate is folded.

A still further object is to provide an exceedingly simple hinge for the parts that are hingedly connected together with the hinge embodying such characteristics as to permit of easy folding of the crate and yet hold the ends firmly against sidewise movement of the crate.

With the above and other objects in view the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, proportion, size and minor details without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the inven tion.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the crate ready for use, showing one of the sides removed. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line a,-a of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view. Fig. 4 is a side view of the crate in collapsed condition.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings the reference character 5 indicates the bottom of the crate which may be composed of veneer or other suitable material, secured to the upper face of which are cleats 6, 7 and 8, against which Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 9, Serial No. 608,878.

I are disposed the lower slats 9 of the ends 10 and 11 and the partition member 12, respectively.

The top of the crate is indicated by the character 13 and preferably consists of a plurality of veneer or other spaced strips, as shown, the strips being connected together by the end cleats 14 and 15 and the intermediate cleat 16, said cleats 14:, 15 and 16 being adapted for disposition against the upper slats of the ends 10 and 11 and the partition member 12 respectively, the cleats of the top being disposed adjacent opposite faces of the slats of the ends and partition member opposite to the faces of the cleats against which the lower cleat-s are disposed, as clearly shown in the accompanying drawings.

The cleats are nailed or otherwise secured to the bottom and top, and if desired, the slats of the top may be further connected together through the instrumentality of the narrow strips 17.

The ends of the crate and the partition member are hinged to the lower cleats 6, 7 and 8 by means of a plurality of hinges consisting preferably of metallic or other hinges 18 which are passed between the lower cleats and the bottom and coiled about the lower cleats and the lower slats of the ends and partition member 12, these straps having their ends connected to the lower cleats in any suitable manner, preferably by nails or the like. By virtue of coiling the strap hinges about the cleats and lower slats and lower ends of the partition member the ends and partition member are held against play longitudinally of the bottom and top, no other means being necessary to prevent play of these parts transversely of the crate. These straps have an advantage over wire whose ends are twisted together and which provide projections liable to injure fowls confined within the crate if the twisted ends project inwardly and which are liable to injure persons handling the crate or contacting with it if the twisted ends project outwardly.

The top is hingedly connected to the ends and the partition member by the same form of strap hinges 18 as described, it being seen that the upper hinges have their ends connected to the upper slats of the ends and partition member.

When in use sides are employed and they consist preferably of separated slats 19 which are nailed or otherwise secured to the ends of the end members and the ends of the partition member. When the crate is not in use these side slats 19 are removed and placed on the bottom of the crate when the latter may be collapsed and the side slats confined between the top and bottom when the crate will occupy small space as compared with the space required for it when in use.

lVhile I have illustrated and described a partition member, I may eliminate all but the upper and lowermost slats of the member 12, in which event, this part of the crate would not perform the function of a partition member to the extent of dividing the crate into two separate and distinct compartments, but on the other hand, it would retain one function that is found in the partition member in that it strengthens the crate intermediate its ends and renders the crate strong and durable. Thus, the member 12 has a dual function when used as a partition member in thatit divides the crate into two separate and distinct compartments, and also strengthens the structure as a whole, it having the single function of a strengthening member when the intermediate slats are eliminated.

I have found my improved crate serviceable and highly satisfactory for shipping purposes and one easily and quicklyconstructed.

What is claimed is In a crate, a bottom provided with a plurality of cleats on its upper face, vertical members composed of slats bearing against side edges of said cleats, metallic straps coiled tightly around the cleats and also around the slats of the vertical members which rest against the cleats, said straps being clamped between the cleats and the bottom of the crate and each having its ends secured to the respective cleat, whereby the vertical members are hingedly connected to the bottom and held against'movement longitudinally of their length and whereby the vertical members may be folded down on the cleats to which they are hingedly connected and disposed parallel with the bottom of the crate, a top for the crate, the top I Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

